The Classic TV Archive - US Dramatic Anthology Series

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#######THE BIG STORY#######

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Episode Guide
version 21.0 November 2007

(Ep Ralph Goll of the Detroit Free Press)

compiled by
The Classic TV Archive

http://www.geocities.com/TelevisionCity/Stage/2950/

with contributions by:

Des Martin

Bill Priest (ep Ralph Goll of the Detroit Free Press)
Rina Fox
references:
Library of Congress (telnet://locis.loc.gov)
Internet Movie Database (http://us.imdb.com)
UCLA Film and Television Archive

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THE BIG STORY

Prockter Productions, Inc./ Producer, Bernard J. Prockter (seasons 1-6)

Pyramid Productions, Inc./ Exec. Producer Everett Rosenthal (seasons 7-9)

for the

NBC Network

Season 1 1949-50 NBC Fridays 9:30 pm

Season 2 1950-51 NBC Fridays 9:30 pm (alt with "The Clock)

Seasons 3-7 1951-56 NBC Fridays 9:00 pm

Season 8 1956-57 NBC Fridays 9:30 pm (final network season)

Season 9 1957-58 First-Run Syndicated Episodes

Based on the radio series of the same name

US newspaper reporter anthology series 1949-58 ? episodes x 30 min live/filmed

This series was broadcast from 16Sep1949 to 28June1957 on NBC

and then continued as a syndicated show for one more season.
 

Narrators:

Bob Sloane (1949-1954)

Norman Rose (1954-1955)

Ben Grauer (1955-1957)

Burgess Meredith (1957-1958)(syndicated)

Premise:

This series presents dramatizations based on actual crimes. The show

extols the achievements of newspaper reporters who have brought about

justice, such as the solution of crimes, capture of criminals,

vindication of wrongly accused persons, or amendment of laws for the

protection of individual citizens. The real names of the journalists

are used. Films of the actual locales of the stories are used with

the live portions of the shows. The reporter whose story is told receives

the $500 Big Story Pall Mall Award. At the end of the program, Ben Grauer,

(1955-57) who acts as host and as editor of the story, interviews the

reporter.

################ The Big Story ###############

############## season 1 1949-50 ##############

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1.xx [--] The Big Story: HARRY REUTLINGER OF THE CHICAGO HERALD-AMERICAN
30Sep49 NBC
Directed by Charles E. Skinner
Adapted by Arnold Perl
Produced by Bernard J. Prockter
Musical Direction, Vladimir Selinsky
Narrator, Bob Sloane
Guest Cast:
Richard McMurray ... Harry Reutlinger
William Lee ........ Dan Shaw
Joshua Shelley ..... The Horticulturist
Ivy Bethune ........ The Maid
Synopsis:
Detective Lieutenant Dan Shaw of the Chicago Police Homicide
Squad calls Reutlinger in when a maid discovers the occupants
of the house missing. The furniture is wrecked and flowers in the
greenhouse are splattered with blood. Reutlinger has to learn
about horticulture quickly to get first lead on the murder.

1.xx [--] The Big Story: ANDREW J. VIGLIETTA OF THE LONG ISLAND STAR JOURNAL
28Oct49
Directed by Charles E. Skinner
Adapted by Arnold Perl
Produced by Bernard J. Prockter
Musical Direction, Vladimir Selinsky
Narrator, Bob Sloane
Guest Cast:
Owen Jordan ........ Andrew J. Viglietta
Joe de Santis ...... John Taine
Ann Sheperd ........ Ellen Prescott
Humphrey Davis ..... the City Editor
Synopsis:
Viglietta aids the FBI in capturing a criminal and freeing an innocent man in prison.

 He receives a telephone call from a supposed crank, who knows unpublished facts

about the case of a man arrested, tried and sentenced. Viglietta contacts the FBI

and meets the man in Times Square. The reporter is kidnapped and,

but for the arrival of the FBI, might have been killed.
 

################ The Big Story ###############

############## season 2 1950-51 ##############

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2.xx [--] Big Story: HAROLD FALLER OF THE HUNTINGTON ADVERTISER OF WEST VIRGINIA

19Jan51 NBC

Directed by Charles E. Skinner
Adapted by Arnold Perl
Produced by Bernard J. Prockter
Musical Direction, Vladimir Selinsky
Narrator, Bob Sloane

Guest Cast:  

Francis De Sales .......... Harold Faller

Jim Boles

Joe Graham

Michael Dreyfus

Charles Bell

Thomas M. Heaphy

Dallas Boyd

John F. Hamilton

Ida Crystal

Stuart Germain

Ernest Chappell  

Synopsis:
Harold Faller ties together the escape of a murderer from prison and the disappearance

of a teenage boy who operates a fishing boat. Faller is sure the boy has unwittingly

helped the convict to escape and has been murdered for it. When the newspaper

refuses to believe him, he proves it by finding the murderer and the boy's body.

2.xx [--] The Big Story: RALPH GOLL OF THE DETROIT FREE PRESS
14Dec51 NBC
Guest cast:
Nelson Olmstead ....... Ralph Goll  [BP]
 

################ The Big Story ###############

############## season 3 1951-52 ##############

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3.xx [--] Big Story: WALTER BEESELY OF THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

11Jan52 NBC (or 14Jan52)

Directed by Daphene Elliott

Produced by Bernard J. Prockter
Musical Direction, Vladimir Selinsky
Narrator, Bob Sloane

Guest Cast:

James Gregory .............. Walter Beesely

Synopsis:
Walter Beesely is the only man to whom a murderer will confess.
Beesely does not feel that he can give the evidence that would
convict the man until the victim's father reminds him that he is
forgetting about the innocent dead girl.

3.xx [--] Big Story: MARTHA STRAYER OF THE WASHINGTON DAILY NEWS

18Jan52 NBC (or 19Jan52)

Directed by Daphene Elliott

Produced by Bernard J. Prockter
Musical Direction, Vladimir Selinsky
Narrator, Bob Sloane

Guest Cast:

Margaret Stewart ............. Martha Strayer

Synopsis:
Martha Strayer goes to the death house to get a story and becomes
convinced of the innocence of a prisoner. She succeeds in getting
a review of his case and a presidential pardon.

################ The Big Story ###############

############## season 4 1952-53 ##############

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4.xx [--] The Big Story: EMILE GAUVREAU OF THE NEW HAVEN JOURNAL COURIER OF CONNECTICUT
29Aug52 NBC (or 2Sep52)(or 3Sep52)
Director, Richard Schneider
Produced by Bernard J. Prockter
Musical Direction, Vladimir Selinsky
Announcer, Ernest Chappell
Narrator, Bob Sloane
Guest Cast:
Leo Penn ........... Emile Gauvreau
Synopsis:
Emile Gauvreau solves the murder of a businessman by a playwright.

4.xx [--] The Big Story: ERNEST A. WARDEN OF THE WICHITA BEACON OF KANSAS
07Nov52 NBC (or 11Nov52)
director, Richard Schneider
Produced by Bernard J. Prockter
Musical Direction, Vladimir Selinsky
Announcer, Ernest Chappell
Narrator, Bob Sloane
Guest Cast:
Edmon Ryan ......... Ernest A. Warden
Synopsis:
Patsy Osborne reports her parents missing, her father on a business trip

and her mother unreturned from a music lesson. She has been left alone on their

 farm with the hired hand. The mother's body is found. After a chase through four

states and having checked a number of assumed names, Ernie Blaine,

the hired hand and murderer, is caught.

4.xx [--] The Big Story: UNKNOWN TITLE (Standby episode)
18Nov52 NBC
Prockter Productions, Inc.
Produced by Everett Rosenthal
Directed by Robert Gordon ; .
Director of Photography, Joseph Brun
Film editor, Werner Schott
Music, Jack Shandlin
Announcer, Ernest Chappell.
Narrator, Bob Sloane
Guest Cast:
Whit Bissell ....... Harry Neigher
Lois Wheeler ....... Jennie Logan
Haskell Coffin ..... George Loomis
Frank Stevens ...... Editor
Mary Davenport ..... Mrs. Neigher
*Note:
This episode may never have been broadcast; "standby" appears on
leaders, which may indicate that this was a backup program which
was not telecast; date is possible production date and is taken from
leaders and original film can.

4.xx [--] The Big Story: JOE SALDANA OF THE LOS ANGELES DAILY NEWS
19Dec52 NBC
Director, Richard Schneider
Produced by Bernard J. Prockter
Musical Direction, Vladimir Selinsky
Announcer, Ernest Chappell
Narrator, Bob Sloane
Guest Cast:
Ralph Stanley ...... Joe Saldana
Synopsis:
A young ex-convict is killed by his wife whom he was beating.
His mother is found to be very much against the wife. Saldana uncovers

the fact that the mother is running a school for juvenile delinquents.

4.xx [--] The Big Story: PATRICIA LEEDS OF THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE
01Jan53
Produced by Bernard J. Prockter
Musical Direction, Vladimir Selinsky
Announcer, Ernest Chappell
Narrator, Bob Sloane
Synopsis:
Reporter Patricia Leeds solves the mystery of why a dying man

claimed suicide when the facts pointed to murder. [RF]

4.xx [--] The Big Story: JOHN A. CORKERY OF THE AURORA BEACON NEWS OF ILLINOIS
09Jan53 NBC
Director, Richard Schneider
Script by Alvin Boretz
Produced by Bernard J. Prockter
Musical Direction, Vladimir Selinsky
Announcer, Ernest Chappell
Narrator, Bob Sloane
Guest Cast:
Glenn C. Gordon ..... John A. Corkery
Synopsis:
Through the descriptions given by children, Corkery finds the
psychopathic murderer of a family of three in the Aurora area. [RF]

4.xx [--] The Big Story: CHESTER POTTER OF THE PITTSBURGH PRESS
06Mar53 NBC
Director, Richard Schneider
Produced by Bernard J. Prockter
Musical Direction, Vladimir Selinsky
Announcer, Ernest Chappell
Narrator, Bob Sloane
Guest Cast:
Robert McQueeny .... Chester Potter
Larry Haines ....... Charlie Duval
Jack Warden ........ Teddy Merrill
Lewis Charles
Royal Beal
Jack Klugman
Jean Tighe
Donald Keyes
Synopsis:
Charlie Duval, a stoolie, accuses Mickey Noonan of the murder of a jeweler.

Suddenly, Potter begins to get information from other sources, which seems to

involve Duval. Potter gets a message to see Teddy Merrill in Western Penitentiary.

 Duval, fearing other underworld characters, goes to the assistant district attorney
to see a picture, and Teddy Merrill is there. The picture leads up to the crime.

Charlie admits to shooting the jeweler, and Merrill proves he was only a lookout.

4.xx [--] The Big Story: MARGUERITE BROWN OF THE IDAHO FREE PRESS
05Jun53 NBC
Produced by Bernard J. Prockter
Musical Direction, Vladimir Selinsky
Announcer, Ernest Chappell
Narrator, Bob Sloane
Synopsis:
Reporter Marguerite Brown discovers startling clues regarding

the mystery surrounding the poisoning of a man. [RF]

4.xx [--] The Big Story: JOE DINEEN OF THE BOSTON GLOBE & LAWRENCE GOLDBERG

 OF THE BOSTON POST
12Jun53
Script by Alvin Boretz
Produced by Bernard J. Prockter
Musical Direction, Vladimir Selinsky
Announcer, Ernest Chappell
Narrator, Bob Sloane
Guest Cast:
James Gregory ...... Joe Dineen
Ralph Stantley ..... Lawrence Goldberg
Joseph DiReda
John Boyd
Truman Smith
Byron Sanders
Nellie Burt
Billy M. Greene
John Sheldon Davis
Synopsis:
Two rivals join forces to save two innocent men from the electric chair. [RF]

4.xx [--] The Big Story: WILLIAM J. MILLER OF THE CLEVELAND OHIO PRESS
19Jun53
Produced by Bernard J. Prockter
Musical Direction, Vladimir Selinsky
Announcer, Ernest Chappell
Narrator, Bob Sloane
Synopsis:
Reporter William J. Miller of the Cleveland Ohio Press and now editor of Time Magazine,

finds twelve honest people in order to save an innocent man. [RF]

4.xx [--] The Big Story: JACK ADAMS OF THE LOS ANGELES EXAMINER
26Jun53
Produced by Bernard J. Prockter
Musical Direction, Vladimir Selinsky
Announcer, Ernest Chappell
Narrator, Bob Sloane
Synopsis:
Reporter Jack Adams joins a counterfeiting gang to get evidence about their methods of operation. [RF]

4.xx [--] The Big Story: BILL BAILEY OF THE HARLINGEN TEXAS VALLEY MORNING STAR
03Jul53
Produced by Bernard J. Prockter
Musical Direction, Vladimir Selinsky
Announcer, Ernest Chappell
Narrator, Bob Sloane
Synopsis:
Reporter Bill Bailey solves a slaying aboard a deep-sea fishing boat. [RF]

################ The Big Story ###############

############## season 5 1953-54 ##############

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5.01 [--] The Big Story: REX NEWMAN: REPORTER OF THE GLOBE AND NEWS
11Sep53 NBC (original version) / 4Jan57 NBC (revised version)
Produced by Bernard J. Prockter
Musical Direction, Vladimir Selinsky
Announcer, Ernest Chappell
Narrator, Bob Sloane
Guest Star:
James Dean ......... Rex Newman
John Kerr
Wendy Drew
Carl Frank
Donald McKee
Ken Walken
Bobby Nick
Susan Harris
Bob Sloane

5.02 18Sep53 no details

5.03 [--] The Big Story: WILLIAM GRAVES: THE SPRINGFIELD LEADER AND PRESS OF MISSOURI
25Sep53 NBC
Director, Richard Schneider
Script by Gail Ingram
Producer, Bernard J. Prockter
Executive producer, Everett Rosenthal
Musical Direction, Vladimir Selinsky
Announcer, Ernest Chappell
Narrator, Bob Sloane
Guest Cast:
Wallace Rooney ..... William Graves
James Holden
Bart Burns
Dortha Duckworth
Humphrey Davis
Tom Gorman
Helen Warnow
Synopsis:
William Graves takes an interest in three youths who are accused
of the brutal slaying of a man and wife in Birch Tree, Missouri.
His thorough investigation proves their innocence and leads to the
conviction of the murdered couple's son.

5.04 [--] The Big Story: BERT MURRAY OF THE LOS ANGELES DAILY NEWS
02Oct1953
Written by Norman Lessing
Directed by Richard Schneider
Producer, Bernard J. Prockter
Executive producer, Everett Rosenthal
Musical Direction, Vladimir Selinsky
Announcer, Ernest Chappell
Narrator, Bob Sloane
Guest Cast:
Leslie Nielsen ..... Bert Murray
Dan Morgan ......... Sam Petrie
Perry Wilson ....... Jean Wilson
Addison Richards ... Bainbridge
Synopsis:
Bert Murray believes that a man who has a murder rap against
him is innocent. Sam Petrie comes to the attention of the police
in an car accident. On investigating, they find that Petrie had
been in trouble many years before, although during past years, he
has been a good citizen. Murray learns that Petrie was a victim
of circumstances in a stabbing and was not actually guilty. He
works on the case with Petrie's many friends in the community
until all charges against him are removed.

5.05 09Oct53 no details
5.06 16Oct53 no details
5.07 23Oct53 no details
5.08 30Oct53 no details
5.09 06Nov53 no details

5.10 [--] The Big Story: JACK SETTERS OF NASHVILLE TENNESSEAN NEWSPAPER
13Nov53 NBC
Producer, Bernard J. Prockter
Musical Direction, Vladimir Selinsky
Announcer, Ernest Chappell
Narrator, Bob Sloane
Guest Cast:
Peter Hobbs ........ Jack Setters
Synopsis:
The brutal murder of Miss Emily Abernathy, Bryan Libraian on a September
evening in 1946 where she was slain by a army veteran (21 years old) who
stabbed her repeatedly with a pen knife.
Story contributed by Jack Setters of Nashville Tennessean Newspaper.
*This episode info supplied by:
Ken Wortkoetter, 125 S Lebanon St, Bryan, Ohio 43506
phone 419-636-5881 / fax 419-636-8338 / email <kenwrtkr@cityofbryan.net>
October 2002

5.11 [--] The Big Story: ROBERT BILLETER OF THE PENDLETON TIMES OF FRANKLIN, WEST VIRGINIA
20Nov53 NBC
Director, Richard Schneider
Script by Gail Ingram
Producer, Bernard J. Prockter
Musical Direction, Vladimir Selinsky
Announcer, Ernest Chappell
Narrator, Bob Sloane
Guest Cast:
Joe Maross ......... Robert Billeter
Anthony Perkins .... Ralph Darrow
Larry Robinson ..... Les
Mac McLeod ......... Reporter
Viola Frayne ....... Mrs. Darrow
Melville Ruick ..... Washington Times Reporter
Norman MacKaye ..... Police Officer
Paul Larson ........ Police Officer
Synopsis:
When an old car with its doors locked is reported to have been in
front of a cave entrance for a couple of days, Billeter is
concerned and persuades the news editor to run a piece in the
newspaper with the headline "Washington boy believed trapped in
cave." After this news item is run, a search of the cave with a
guide is instituted and two teenage boys are found lost in the
cave in a state of collapse from cold and hunger.

5.12 27Nov53 no details

5.13 [--] The Big Story: DOUGLAS WILDEY OF THE YONKERS HERALD STATESMAN OF NEW YORK
04Dec53 NBC
Director, Richard Schneider
Script by Gail Ingram
Producer, Bernard J. Prockter
Musical Direction, Vladimir Selinsky
Announcer, Ernest Chappell
Narrator, Bob Sloane
Guest Cast:
Frank Overton ...... Douglas Wildey
John Lehne ......... Nick Kyles
Joy Geffen ......... Sue Kyles
Charles Mendrick ... Laundry Owner
John Gibson ........ Editor Parker
Synopsis:
Douglas Wildey pursues a former laundry night guard after the laundry is robbed three times.

The former guard believes that he is too slick for the police. He watches for articles

on robbery in the newspaper. When he finds nothing, he calls the newspaper each time

and asks why they did not print the story. They look for a former laundry employee who has an

infant at home, having heard a baby during the calls. They find their man, Nick Kyles.

5.14 11Dec53 no details
5.15 18Dec53 no details
5.16 25Dec53 no details

5.17 [--] The Big Story: THOMAS C. GALLAGHER OF THE LOWELL SUN
04Jan1954 NBC
Producer, Bernard J. Prockter
Musical Direction, Vladimir Selinsky
Announcer, Ernest Chappell
Narrator, Bob Sloane
Guest Cast:
Philip Abbot ........... Thomas C. Gallagher
Synopsis:
Reporter Thomas C. Gallagher of the Lowell, Mass. Sun investigates the case of

a jobless young man who held up a bank, and then surrendered to police. [RF]

5.18 [--] The Big Story: NYE BEAMAN OF THE WATERBURY CONNECTICUT AMERICAN
08Jan1954 NBC
Producer, Bernard J. Prockter
Musical Direction, Vladimir Selinsky
Announcer, Ernest Chappell
Narrator, Bob Sloane
Synopsis:
Nye Beaman of the Waterbury American, sought and found a hit-and-run driver. [RF]

5.19 [--] The Big Story: LEE FUHRMAN OF THE ATLANTA GEORGIA CONSTITUTION
15Jan1954 NBC
Producer, Bernard J. Prockter
Musical Direction, Vladimir Selinsky
Announcer, Ernest Chappell
Narrator, Bob Sloane
Guest cast:
Paul Trip ............... Lee Fuhrman
Synopsis:
Lee Fuhrman of the Atlanta Constitution traced a murderer with a small sample of rope as his only clue. [RF]

5.20 [--] The Big Story: ALFRED E. CLARK OF THE NEW YORK TIMES
22Jan1954 NBC
Producer, Bernard J. Prockter
Musical Direction, Vladimir Selinsky
Announcer, Ernest Chappell
Narrator, Bob Sloane
Sponsored by Pall Mall
Guest cast:
Nelson Olmstead .......... Alfred E. Clark
Synopsis:
Alfred E. Clark of the New York Times helped trap a diamond thief after a

pretty model dumped a bag of diamonds on his desk. [RF]

5.21 29Jan54 no details
5.22 05Feb54 no details

5.23 [--] The Big Story: LINSEY WHITTEN OF THE LAWTON CONSTITUTION OKLAHOMA
12Feb1954 NBC
Producer, Bernard J. Prockter
Musical Direction, Vladimir Selinsky
Announcer, Ernest Chappell
Narrator, Bob Sloane
Synopsis:
The story of reporter Linsey Whitten of the Lawton (Oklahoma) Constitution who investigated

 the claim of an old man that he was Jesse James, and over 100 years old. [RF]

5.24 [--] The Big Story: PAUL QUICK OF THE ?
19Feb1954 NBC
Sponsor Pall Mall
Guest cast:
John Harvey ............ Paul Quick
Synopsis:
Reporter Paul Quick exposes a suspicious rest home for alcoholics. [RF]

5.25 26Feb54 no details
5.26 05Mar54 no details

5.27 [--] The Big Story: SIDNEY CAVANAUGH OF THE ?
12Mar1954 NBC

Synopsis:

Reporter Sidney Cavanaugh exposes swindlers. [RF]

5.28 19Mar54 no details
5.29 26Mar54 no details

5.30 [--] The Big Story: Unknown title
02Apr1954 NBC
Guest cast:
Royal Dano
Synopsis:
A reporter tries to make a dying man's wishes come true. [RF]

5.31 [--] The Big Story: GRADY BENNETT OF THE BLOOMINGTON HERALD-TELEPHONE OF INDIANA
09Apr1954 NBC
Written by Norman Lessing
Directed by Richard Schneider
Producer, Bernard J. Prockter
Musical Direction, Vladimir Selinsky
Announcer, Ernest Chappell
Narrator, Bob Sloane
starring
Richard Carlyle .... Grady Bennett
Russell Hardie ..... Chief Drago
Philip Foster ...... Mr. Truesdale
Perry Wilson ....... Mrs. Rausch
Joseph Sweeney ..... Burnsie
Tony Brande ........ Sikora
Winifred Cushing ... Woman in the Crowd
Synopsis:
Mr. Truesdale, the husband of a woman who is found dead along with her married secret

lover, is thought to be guilty of the crime. Grady Bennett presses for a fair trial, uncovers

evidence--a plaster cast of an unknown footprint at the scene of the crime--and prints it in

his newspaper. A woman spots it and phones in that she saw a man with that type of

 marking on the heel of his boot. The police are able to trap the killer, Sikora.

5.32 16Apr54 no details
5.33 23Apr54 no details
5.34 30Apr54 no details
5.35 07May54 no details
5.36 14May54 no details

5.37 [--] The Big Story: HAL WILSON OF THE MEMPHIS PRESS-SCIMITAR
21May54 NBC
Narrator, Bob Sloane

Synopsis:
Reporter Hal Wilson, of the Memphis Press-Scimitar, seeks a feminine

hitchhiker in order to obtain clues about the slaying of a truck driver. [RF]

5.38 [--] The Big Story: VIRGIL PIERSON OF THE BIRMINGHAM AGE-HERALD OF ALABAMA
29May54 NBC
Script by Max Ehrlich
Director, Richard Schneider
Producer, Bernard J. Prockter
Musical Direction, Vladimir Selinsky
Announcer, Ernest Chappell
Narrator, Bob Sloane
Cast:
Murray Hamilton .... Virgil Pierson
Joseph Leon ........ Ed Burroughs
Gale Page .......... Mrs. Kane
Maurice Wells ...... J.C. Whitney
Virginia Vincent ... Luella
Barbara Townsend ... Doctor's Assistant
Scott Moore ........ Police Sergeant
John J. Martin ..... Alex Kirby
Hank Gillen ........ Police Officer
Synopsis:
An anonymous letter causes Virgil Pierson to investigate a case of allegedly accidental death

which proves to be murder. A woman dies in a Birmingham hospital after having slipped in a

bathtub, or so her husband claims. Pierson receives a tip that it is murder. He explores
the case, which is then reopened. As a result of this case, autopsies become required

 following any accidental death.

5.39 [--] The Big Story: JEROME L. SMITH OF THE KNICKERBOCKER NEWS OF ALBANY
04Jun54 NBC
Narrator, Bob Sloane

Synopsis:
Residents of Albany, N.Y. are terrorized by a series of

apparently unmotivated shootings. Reporter Jerome L. Smith of

 the "Knickerbocker News" of Albany is assigned to the case. [RF]

################ The Big Story ###############

############## season 6 1954-55 ##############

##############################################

6.01 [--] The Big Story: WILLARD HASELBUSH, CITY EDITOR OF THE DENVER POST
10Sep54 NBC
Directed by David Rich
Script by Max Ehrlich
Producer, Everett Rosenthal
Musical Direction, Vladimir Selinsky
Announcer, Ernest Chappell
Narrator, Bob Sloane
Guest Cast:
Wesley Addy ........ Willard Haselbush
Paul Huber ......... Joe Barrie
John Kellogg ....... Vince Barrie
Raymond Bramley .... Mr. Heyburn
Geoffrey Bryant .... Mrs. Ashburn
Jack Davis ......... Frank Carroll
Gene Leonard ....... the Judge
Robert Hull ........ Attorney
Synopsis:
Willard Haselbush and publisher John Heyburn prepare editorials blasting the slot-machine

rackets. When this fails, Haselbush adopts more drastic exposures of the racketeers.

The slot-machines are used to cover up bigger rackets. The governor issues a
proclamation stressing the illegality of the machines and the strict enforcement of

the law that closes establishments with them.The leader, Joe Barrie, and his gang come

 before a federal jury and they try to bribe the jurors. They are found out and this count
is added to the others.

6.02 [--] The Big Story: CHARLES McKINNEY OF THE TULSA WORLD
17Sep54 NBC
Directed by David Rich
Script by Norman Lessing
Producer, Everett Rosenthal
Musical Direction, Vladimir Selinsky
Announcer, Ernest Chappell
Narrator, Bob Sloane
Guest Cast:
Carl Betz .......... Charles McKinney
Richard Hylton ..... Jerry Foster
Joyce Van Patten ... Valerie Foster
Stephen Courtleigh.. Police Captain Holcombe
Somer Alberg ....... Ben Stuart
Synopsis:
When a dentist is found murdered and his car gone, the first suspect is the dentist's

 young gardener, Jerry Foster, who has gone off with the car. Foster, a teenager

with a criminal record, disappears with his wife Valerie, and although guilty,

he convinces her of his innocence. McKinney's understanding of Foster's
reasoning enables him to write his stories in such a fashion that
the pair voluntarily return. Foster confesses and is convicted.

6.03 24Sep54 no details

6.04 [--] The Big Story: ARTHUR MIELKE OF THE WASHINGTON TIMES HERALD
01Oct54 NBC
Directed by David Rich
Script by Gail Ingram
Producer, Everett Rosenthal
Musical Direction, Vladimir Selinsky
Announcer, Ernest Chappell
Narrator, Bob Sloane
Guest Cast:
Philip Abbott ...... Arthur Mielke
Luella Gear ........ Mrs. Ferill
Treva Frazee ....... Amy Kellogg
Courteen Landes .... Nurse
Jason Robards ...... Mr. Simms
Harrison Dowd ...... Medical Examiner
Adele Newton ....... Jeannie
Synopsis:
On a routine check at a hospital in Prince Georges County, Maryland, Arthur Mielke learns

 of the death of a 7-month-old baby. A report indicates that the death is due to

a head wound suffered in an accident. He investigates the nursery home where

the child stayed during the day and discovers that the home is run by Mrs. Ferill,

 an elderly woman who prides herself on a neat, quiet nursery. She wants it so quiet that

when a baby cries, she hits it or bangs its head against the crib. In this way,
she has killed two or three babies. Mielke brings out the lax requirements for

obtaining a license to run such a home.

6.05 08Oct54 no details
6.06 15Oct54 no details
6.07 22Oct54 no details
6.08 29Oct54 no details
6.09 05Nov54 no details
6.10 12Nov54 no details
6.11 19Nov54 no details

6.12 [--] The Big Story: NORMAN AGATHON OF THE SIOUX CITY JOURNAL OF IOWA
26Nov54 NBC
Director, David Rich
Script by Paul Monash
Producer, Everett Rosenthal
Musical Direction, Vladimir Selinsky
Announcer, Ernest Chappell
Narrator, Bob Sloane
Guest Cast:
Wesley Lau ......... Norman Agathon
Herbert Nelson ..... Frank Sheldon
Constance Clausen .. Dee Victor
Wright King ........ Jack Crawley
Stephen Gray ....... Joe Styler
Carl Don ........... William Ward
James Millhollin ... Ed Abrams
Remo Pisani ........ Teddy Golden
Val Avery .......... Informer
Synopsis:
William Ward's safe is robbed by two men hired by Ward himself
for the insurance money. Jack Crawley, one of the thieves,
has just gotten married to Dee Victor, the former girlfriend
of the other thief, Frank Sheldon. The newlyweds decide he
should go straight. But Sheldon, jealous, will not give Crawley
his share from the job until he goes in on another one. Victor
wants to go to ensure that Crawley is safe, but Sheldon shoots but
does not kill her. They use so much explosive on the job that
Crawley is killed. Victor puts the finger on Sheldon.

6.13 03Dec54 no details
6.14 10Dec54 no details
6.15 17Dec54 no details
6.16 24Dec54 no details

6.17 [--] The Big Story: ROGER DOVE OF THE HARTFORD COURANT OF CONNECTICUT
31Dec54 NBC
Director, David Rich
Script by Mel Goldberg
Producer, Everett Rosenthal
Musical Direction, Vladimir Selinsky
Announcer, Ernest Chappell
Narrator, Bob Sloane
Guest Cast:
Frank Overton ...... Roger Dove
Jack Warden ........ Bill Foley
Peg Hillias ........ Anne Foley
Ben Yaffee ......... Mr. Adams
Ethel Remey ........ Miss Dillon
Judy Sanford ....... Carol
Richard Trask ...... Chet Foley
Synopsis:
Roger Dove investigates the state Welfare Department's decision
to place Carol, the foster child of Anne and Bill Foley, up
for permanent adoption with other parents. The couple has had
Carol for three years. As foster parents, there had been no
question about placing the girl with a family of two children
and a father with a heart condition. The state now wants to
place the girl with healthy parents. Dove raises public support
for the Foleys through his stories. Public pressure on the
governor convinces him to overrule the decision and the Foleys
adopt Carol.

6.18 07Jan55 no details
6.19 14Jan55 no details
6.20 21Jan55 no details
6.21 28Jan55 no details
6.22 04Feb55 no details

 11Feb55  The Big Story: KENNETH H. ALSTAD OF THE TUCSON DAILY CITIZEN preempted to following week.

6.23 [--] The Big Story: KENNETH H. ALSTEAD OF THE TUCSON DAILY CITIZEN
(aka The Man Who Wouldn't Run)

18Feb55 NBC
Director, David Rich
Script by Gail Ingram
Producer, Everett Rosenthal
Musical Direction, Vladimir Selinsky
Announcer, Ernest Chappell
Narrator, Bob Sloane
Guest Cast:
Chester Stratton ... Kenneth H. Alstead
John McLiam ........ Walter Bedford
Lisa Howard ........ waitress
Maxine Stuart ...... Mae
Ruth Hammond ....... Mrs. B
Lester Lonergan .... Mr. A
Duncan Leonard ..... Shoe Clerk
Synopsis 1:
Walter Bedford, a robber, tries out a new theory that he will
act in the open as much as possible. He robs a bank in broad
daylight. He tries to act very normally. Nobody has a description of
him because he looks so nondescript. Alstead gets a clue when a
waitress remarks that a man knocked over a glass on hearing that
the bank robber wore horn-rimmed glasses, which he himself was
wearing. Alstead understands Bedford's theory and follows his
spending trail. When Alstead tracks down a description of him,
Bedford begins to run and a police officer gets him.

Synopsis 2:

The Man who wouldn't run is investigated by reporter Ken Alstead

of the Tucson Daily Citizen. The crowd paid little attention to the man

who exited quietly from the bank after robbing it. [RF]

*Note: Episode was postponed from Feb 11, 1955 to Feb 18, 1955.

6.24 25Feb55 no details
6.25 04Mar55 no details
6.26 11Mar55 no details
6.27 18Mar55 no details
6.28 25Mar55 no details
6.29 01Apr55 no details
6.30 08Apr55 no details

6.31 [--] The Big Story: SHADOW OF A HEADLINE
15Apr55 NBC
Producer, Everett Rosenthal
Musical Direction, Vladimir Selinsky
Announcer, Ernest Chappell
Narrator, Bob Sloane
Synopsis:
Reporter Bernard Averbuch of the San Francisco Call-Bulletin seeks the facts behind

the apparent facts when a distraught young woman is discovered trying to save a

 young man from suicide. Evidence points to a suicide pact. [RF]

6.32 [--] The Big Story: THE AVENGING FRIEND

(aka Allen Cowperthwaite of the Helena Montana Independent Record)
22Apr55 NBC
Producer, Everett Rosenthal
Musical Direction, Vladimir Selinsky
Announcer, Ernest Chappell
Narrator, Bob Sloane
Synopsis:

Reporter Allen Cowperthwaite of the Helena, (Mont.) Independent Record

is a member of the group searching for a service-station operator.

When the man is found dead, the reporter is certain he was the victim

of foul play and continues to investigate. [RF]

6.33 [--] The Big Story: DEATH ON RATTLESNAKE RIDGE
(aka Charles Gleeson of the Willows, (Calif.) Daily Journal)
29Apr1955 NBC
Producer, Everett Rosenthal
Musical Direction, Vladimir Selinsky
Announcer, Ernest Chappell
Narrator, Bob Sloane
Guest cast:
William Redfield ....... Charles Gleeson
Synopsis:
Reporter Charles Gleeson of the Willows Daily Journal took the pictures that

convinced an arsonist he should be punished for setting fire to woods in

Mendocino National Forest. Several men lost their lives fighting the blaze. [RF]

6.34 06May55 no details

6.35 [--] The Big Story: LYING GENIUS
(aka Jack Coates of the Lubbock, Tex. Avalanche Journal)
13May1955 NBC
Producer, Everett Rosenthal
Musical Direction, Vladimir Selinsky
Announcer, Ernest Chappell
Narrator, Bob Sloane
Synopsis:
The story covered by reporter Jack Coates of the Lubbock Avalanche Journal.

He's assigned to the case of a missing high school girl. The facts he turns up put

a new light on the prime suspect - her boyfriend - in the girl's supposed murder. [RF]

6.36 [--] The Big Story: THE CITY WITH A HEART
(aka Dorothy Patterson of the Paterson (N.J.) Morning Call)
20May1955 NBC
Producer, Everett Rosenthal
Musical Direction, Vladimir Selinsky
Announcer, Ernest Chappell
Narrator, Bob Sloane
Synopsis:
The city with a heart was rallied behind a cause by reporter Dorothy Patterson of the

Paterson (N.J.) Morning Call. Through Miss Patterson's efforts, money was raised for

life-saving serum for a sick boy. After completing this campaign, she went on to

organize Paterson's Save-A-Child fund. [RF]

6.37 [--] The Big Story: A SOUND LIKE THE WIND
(aka Ray Sprigle of the Pittsburgh Post Gazette)
27May1955 NBC
Producer, Everett Rosenthal
Musical Direction, Vladimir Selinsky
Announcer, Ernest Chappell
Narrator, Bob Sloane
Guest cast:
Alexander Scourby ....... Ray Sprigle
Synopsis:
Ray Sprigle of the Pittsburgh Post Gazette follows the story of the wife of a

convicted robber who is convinced her husband is innocent. Six years after

the trial she persuades Sprigle to look into the case. [RF]

6.38 [--] The Big Story: THE THIN LINE
(aka Caroline Pickering of the Indianapolis Star)
03Jun1955 NBC
Producer, Everett Rosenthal
Musical Direction, Vladimir Selinsky
Announcer, Ernest Chappell
Narrator, Bob Sloane
Synopsis:
The thin line dramatizes an event from the career of reporter Caroline Pickering

of the Indianapolis Star. When a seemingly normal gentleman came to the office with

 a tale of having been shanghaied into a mental institution, reporter Pickering went to his aid. [RF]

6.xx [--] The Big Story: THE KIDS AND THE KICKS
airdate unknown circa 1955 NBC
Producer, Everett Rosenthal
Musical Direction, Vladimir Selinsky
Announcer, Ernest Chappell
Narrator, Bob Sloane
Synopsis:
Reporter Bud Henry's finding out what kicks the kids are getting. [RF]

################ The Big Story ###############

############## season 7 1955-56 ##############

##############################################

NBC Fridays 9:00 pm Eastern

7.xx [--] The Big Story: TOM SULLIVAN AND JIM DONAHUE OF THE BOSTON RECORD AMERICAN
23Sep1955 NBC
Producer, Robert Louis Shayton
Musical Direction, Vladimir Selinsky
Announcer, Ernest Chappell
Narrated by Ben Grauer
Synopsis:
This is the big story of reporters Tom Sullivan and Jim Donahue of the Boston

Record American. The boasts of a husky teenager lead police to believe that he

had more than a little to do with the brutal murder of a Brookline divorcee. [RF]

7.xx [--] The Big Story: THE AMERICAN ARCHER-SHEE CASE
(aka Bruce Benedict of the San Francisco Chronicle)
(Syndication title: Justice Delayed)

04Nov1955 NBC
Producer, Robert Louis Shayton
Musical Direction, Vladimir Selinsky
Announcer, Ernest Chappell
Narrated by Ben Grauer
Guest cast:
James Stephens ......... Bruce Benedict
Donald Hastings ........ George Hanson
Leon Stevens ........... Kane

Synopsis:
Reporter Bruce Benedict of the San Francisco Chronicle found his big story in an

American counterpart to England's famed "Winslow Boy" case. At the California Maritime

Academy a student is accused of stealing two shirts from a classmate. He protests

his innocence but officials doubt his story. [RF]

Synopsis 2:
Intrigued by the similarity to a British case, Bruce Benedict investigates

a cadet's expulsion from a maritime academy. [RF]

*Note: Postponed from Oct. 7, 1955.

7.xx [--] The Big Story: THE SECRET WITNESS PLAN
(aka LOU PARIS OF THE CHIGAGO SUN TIMES)
11Nov55 NBC
Producer, Robert Louis Shayton
Musical Direction, Vladimir Selinsky
Announcer, Ernest Chappell
Host: Ben Grauer
Guest cast:
Ralph Carmargo ..... Lou Paris
Synopsis:
Paris was assigned to write a daily series on Chicago's huge backlog of unsolved murders.

 This story tells of Paris's research into the death of an elderly Italian shoemaker who

 was robbed and killed before he could return to his homeland. [RF]

7.xx [--] The Big Story: THANKS FOR DR. JOE
(aka Victor Cohn of the Minneapolis Tribune)
18Nov55 NBC
Producer, Robert Louis Shayton
Musical Direction, Vladimir Selinsky
Announcer, Ernest Chappell
Narrated by Ben Grauer
Synopsis:
This is the big story of reporter Victor Cohn of the Minneapolis Tribune. He champions

the cause of Polish doctor who survived years in a slave-labor camp only to be forbidden

 by U.S. law to practice medicine in his new home town, Freeport Minnesota. The doctor

 has become a house painter to support his family. [RF]

7.xx [--] The Big Story: BURDEN OF PROOF
(aka Robert L. Stearns of the Pontiac, Mich., Press)
25Nov55 NBC
Producer, Robert Louis Shayton
Musical Direction, Vladimir Selinsky
Announcer, Ernest Chappell
Narrated by Ben Grauer
Synopsis:
Reporter Robert L. Stearns of the Pontiac, Mich., Press champions the cause of a

man suspected of murder. The man became the state's chief suspect after he found

 the body of a murdered matron and reported his discovery to the police. [RF]

7.xx [--] The Big Story: RICHARD LOOMAN OF THE SAN DIEGO TRIBUNE
02Dec55 NBC
Producer, Robert Louis Shayton
Musical Direction, Vladimir Selinsky
Announcer, Ernest Chappell
Host: Ben Grauer
Synopsis:
Reporter Richard Looman investigated the attempted suicide of his best friend's wife.

 The woman's husband told Looman that his wife was disturbed over her

analysis by a local so-called psychologist. [RF]

7.xx [--] The Big Story: THE TOY
(Reporter Emil Slaboda of the Trentonian in Trenton, N.J.
15Jan56 NBC
Synopsis:
A new state law was initiated when Emil Slaboda wrote the story of a mentally

ill veteran who used a toy gun to commit holdups. Slaboda used the story

to fight for a law that would make realistic toy guns illegal. [RF]

7.xx [--] The Big Story: THE MONEY MAKING MACHINE
(Reporter J.P. Cahn of the San Francisco Chronicle.)
22Jan56 NBC
Synopsis:
The money making machine is exposed by reporter J.P. Cahn of the San Francisco Chronicle.

He writes a series of articles about the device of some clever "con" men to get easy money. [RF]

7.xx [--] The Big Story: FOLLOW THE LEADER

(aka Smart Kid)
(Reporter Elston Brooks of Fort Worth's Star Telegram.)
02Mar56 NBC

Narrated by Ben Grauer
starring

Richard Murray ......... Elston Brooks (aka David Hedison)
Arch Johnson ........... Dave Cooley
Joey Walsh ............. Don Cooley
Al Hodge ............... Hollis
Synopsis:
After a daring daytime bank robbery, Brooks follows clues which lead him to a high school student. [RF]

Synopsis 2:
Elston Brooks' search for a daring bank robber leads him to a bright high-school student. [RF]

7.xx [--] The Big Story: FIGHTER'S FISTS
(Reporter Zarko Franks of the Houston (Texas) Chronicle.)
09Mar56 NBC
Synopsis:
Reporter Zarko Franks becomes interested in the case of a young boxer who

 is suspected of being involved in a crime wave. By doing a bit of investigating

on his own, Franks proves that eye witnesses are not always accurate. [RF]

7.xx [--] The Big Story: THE HUMAN ELEMENT
16Mar56 NBC Friday
Narrated by Ben Grauer
starring
Walter Klavun .......... Robert F. Ward

Peter Turgeon .......... Pete
Frank Maxwell .......... Harry
Synopsis:
Reporter Robert F. Ward of the Bridgeport (Connecticut) Post and Telegram

reports on a capsule of deadly radioactive material which is missing from a factory.

 Ward is given the job of getting the news out through all possible sources

 in hopes of warning the man who took it. [RF]

Synopsis 2:
Reporter Robert F. Ward (Walter Klavun) launches a search for

a missing capsule of lethal radioactive material. [RF]

7.xx [--] The Big Story: THE HIDING PLACE
(Reporter Clifford Quin of the Toledo (O.) Blade.)
13Apr56 NBC Friday
Narrated by Ben Grauer
starring
Walter Brooke .......... Clifford Quin
Synopsis:
The body of a man is found near the river. Police cannot identify him,

but Clifford Quin of the Toledo Blade uses his training as a reporter to crack the case. [RF]

7.xx [--] The Big Story: BOB BATTLE, CITY EDITOR: NASHVILLE (TN) BANNER
27Apr56 NBC Friday
Teleplay by Sheldon Stark
Narrated by Ben Grauer
starring
Logan Field
Richard Shepard
Sidney Armus
Lisa Howard
Norman Shelly [RF]

7.xx [--] The Big Story: LEONARD LERNER OF THE BOSTON GLOBE
01Jun56 NBC
Directed by Leonard Valenta
Written by Alvin Boretz
Producer, Robert Louis Shayton
Musical Direction, Vladimir Selinsky
Announcer, Ernest Chappell
Host: Ben Grauer
Guest Cast:
Philip Abbott
Wallace Rooney
Victor Thorley
John Shellie
Alfreda Wallace
Synopsis:
In the New Hampshire woods, a college girl disappears during her vacation.

There is no trace of her until Boston Globe reporter Len Lerner,

suspecting foul play, decides to investigate. [RF]

7.xx [--] The Big Story: WILLIAM KENNEDY OF THE WATSONVILLE, CALLIFORNIA REGISTRAR PAJARONIAN
08Jun56 NBC
Directed by Leonard Valenta
Written by Douglas Taylor
Producer, Robert Louis Shayton
Musical Direction, Vladimir Selinsky
Announcer, Ernest Chappell
Narrated by Burgess Meredith
Guest Cast:
John Connell ...... William Kennedy
Peter Thompson .... Curtis
Don Briggs
Grant Sullivan
Jack Orrison
Ward Costello
Val Avery
Bob Hastings
Nancy Rennick
Synopsis:
The story of William Kennedy from the Watsonville, California Registrar Pajaronian

who uncovered corruption in high office in Santa Cruz County. The district attorney and the

 vice syndicates were in cahoots. As the show ends, Kennedy receives the Big Story Award.

 "Ben Grauer narrates the story that won a Pulitzer Prize for reporter

William Kennedy of Watsonville, California. After covering a murder trial,

Kennedy suspects that the D.A. was bribed.

7.xx [--] The Big Story: JOHN KEYES OF THE SAN FRANCISCO CALL-BULLETIN
15Jun56 NBC
Directed by Leonard Valenta
Written by Newton Meltzer
Producer, Robert Louis Shayton
Musical Direction, Vladimir Selinsky
Announcer, Ernest Chappell
Host: Ben Grauer
Guest Cast:
William Zuckert .... John Keyes
Synopsis:
Reporter John Keyes of the San Francisco Call-Bulletin. While on vacation hunting deer,

 Keyes finds a clue which breaks the mystery of a series of brutal beatings. [RF]

7.xx [--] The Big Story: GEORGE THOMPSON OF THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY NEWS
22Jun56 NBC
Directed by Leonard Valenta
Written by Alvin Boretz
Producer, Robert Louis Shayton
Musical Direction, Vladimir Selinsky
Announcer, Ernest Chappell
Host: Ben Grauer
Guest Cast:
Robert Ellenstein
Loretta Leversee
Will Hare
Dean Almquist
Synopsis:
Reporter George Thompson of the Philadelphia News races to stop a man who plans to kill

in order to be killed. The man, an unhappy husband who wants to die but is afraid to commit

suicide, figures that the police will kill him if he shoots a few passersby. [RF]

7.xx [--] The Big Story: HERBERT KRONE THE LANCASTER, PENNSYLVANIA NEW ERA
(aka Two Thumbs)
06Jul56 NBC
Directed by Leonard Valenta
Written by Douglas Taylor
Producer, Robert Louis Shayton
Musical Direction, Vladimir Selinsky
Announcer, Ernest Chappell
Host: Ben Grauer
Guest Cast:
Joseph Julian ...... Herbert Krone
George Mitchell
Peg Hillias
Buzz Martin
Stuart Germain
Charles Mendick
Synopsis:
Joseph Julian stars as reporter Herbert Krone of the Lancaster, Pennsylvania

New Era. Krone's story exposed a Pennsylvania Dutch 'hex' murder fraud

in which a village idiot was indicted for killing a 'hex man.
*Note: Last Show of the season.

################ The Big Story ###############

############## season 8 1956-57 ##############

##############################################

(final network season)

NBC Fridays 9:30 pm

8.xx [--] The Big Story: NIGHTMARE
(Valerie Nicholson of the Associated Press)
12Oct56 NBC Fri
Hosted by Ben Grauer
Guest cast:
Sara Seegar ............ Valerie Nicholson
Synopsis:
Valerie Nicholson, Associated Press correspondent of Southern Pines, N.C.

questions the methods of a local psychologist, Mrs. Nicholson was accused

of being mentally unbalanced herself. [RF]

8.xx [--] The Big Story: DON HOGAN, OF THE BOSTON POST
26Oct56 NBC Fri
Hosted by Ben Grauer
Synopsis:
Don Hogan, Boston Post reporter who found a living unknown soldier

 in a Boston hospital. Hogan tries, by publicizing the story of his amnesia victim,

to help the veteran find out who he is. [RF]
 

8.xx [--] The Big Story: GEORGE MURPHY OF THE SAN FRANCISCO NEWS
(aka Flight Into Shadow, syndication title)

16Nov56 NBC Fri
Hosted by Ben Grauer
Guest cast:
Jaime Smith ............ George Murphy Jr.
Al Markim .............. Paul
Curt Conway ............ Nathan Jacobs

Synopsis:
George Murphy Jr., of the San Francisco News hears about

a schoolteacher who has been accused of possessing narcotics,

and tries to help the innocent man. [RF]

Synopsis 2:
En route to a Las Vegas vacation, a young California schoolteacher claimed

 his baggage at the airline terminal counter and was placed under arrest.

Speedily convicted of possessing narcotics, the young man faced shame and ruin,

until reporter George Murphy of the San Francisco News uncovered a startling oversight. [RF]
 

8.xx [--] The Big Story: HOSTAGE
(Thurman Johns of The Phoenix Gazette)
23Nov56 NBC
Directed by Leonard Valenta
Written by Leon Tokatyan
Producer, Robert Lewis Shayon
Musical Direction, Vladimir Selinsky
Announcer, Ernest Chappell
Host: Ben Grauer
Guest Cast:
Joe Helgesen .......... Thurman Johns
Ross Martin ........... William Fernandez
Anna Minot ............ Peggy Taylor
George L. Smith ....... Bob Taylor
Bill Quinn ............ Police Chief
John Marriott ......... Hobo
Milton Selzer ......... Dave
Synopsis 1:
During his battle with police, a shoplifter grabs a woman hostage from a crowd of

frightened shoppers. Thurman Johns of the Phoenix Gazette pleads with the

gunman for the woman's safety. [RF]
Synopsis 2:
William Fernandez is in San Quentin Honor Farm with plans
only to escape. Peggy Taylor is an expectant housewife and co-owner
of a small cafe. Fernandez escapes and arrives in Phoenix not having
eaten for 32 hours. He runs into a supermarket and steals some food.
A police officer chases him. Fernandez grabs Taylor, uses her as a
shield and hides in a warehouse. Johns persuades him to drop his gun
and give himself up. In the concluding interview, Johns says
Fernandez got 7-10 years and Taylor has a normal healthy baby. [DM]

Synopsis 3:
Thurman Johns (Joe Helgesen) of the Phoenix Gazette pleads

with a gunman for the safety of a hostage. [RF]

8.xx [--] The Big Story: EX-CONVICT
(Charles Tarbi of The Boston Globe)
07Dec56 NBC
Directed by Leonard Valenta
Written by Leon Tokatyan
Producer, Bernard J. Prockter
Musical Direction, Vladimir Selinsky
Announcer, Ernest Chappell
Host: Ben Grauer
Appearing: Charles Tarbi as himself
Guest Cast:
Norman Shelly ......... Charles Tarbi
Gerald Sarracini ...... Angelo
Burt Brinckerhoff ..... Tommy
Lois Nettleton ........ Jean
Frank Maxwell ......... Frank DiStefano
Synopsis:
Charles Tarbi introduces, Angelo, an ex-convict, to a friend of his,
Jean. They both believe Angelo when he says he wants to go straight.
Tommy, a prison buddy of Angelo, asks him to do a supposedly legitimate
job at the airport, but it turns out he is stealing vending machines.
Angelo tries to stop him. Angelo tells Jean she should stay away
from him. He needs bail money so he goes in on a robbery with Tommy.
Tarbi and Jean tell the police and in a gun battle, Tommy is killed
and Angelo is wounded. In the concluding interview, Tarbi says
Angelo was sentenced to 12-15 years.

8.xx [--] The Big Story: MASS MURDER - FLIGHT 169
(Zeke Scher and George MacWilliams of The Denver Post)
14Dec56 NBC
Directed by Leonard Valenta
Written by Douglas Taylor
Producer, Robert Lewis Shayon
Music director, Vladimir Selinsky
Host: Ben Grauer
Guest Cast:
Fred Sadofi .......... Zeke Scher
Crahan Denton ........ George MacWilliams
Frederic Tozere ...... Willard Hazelbush
Mark Rydell .......... Frank Robert Evans
Betty Lou Holland .... Mrs. Evans
Margaret Barber ...... Mrs. Jackson
Dana Elcar ........... Oscar
Mort Marshall ........ Sam Mulvey
Alan North ........... FBI Agent
Synopsis:
The nation is shocked when a bomb on an airplane out of
Denver causes it to crash, killing everyone on board. Scher
and MacWilliams help to prove that Frank Robert Evans planted the
bomb to kill his mother. He signs a confession and then recants.
The two reporters find the store where Evans bought the equipment
for the bomb. They also uncover evidence that he had tried to kill
his mother before with a bomb. In the concluding interview, the two
reporters say that Evans was found guilty, showed no remorse and
was sentenced to die in the gas chamber on Jan. 11, 1957.

8.xx [--] The Big Story: REUNION
(Dom Frasca of The New Jersey Courier of Plainfield)
21Dec56 NBC
Directed by Leonard Valenta
Written by Gail Ingram
Producer, Robert Lewis Shayon
Music director, Vladimir Selinsky
Host: Ben Grauer
Appearing: Dom Frasco (as himself)
Guest Cast:
Joe Silver ............ Dom Frasca
Tommy Halloran ........ Danny, as a Child
Warren Oates .......... Danny, as an Adult
Mary Lou Taylor ....... Mother
John Gibson ........... Mr. Harwick
Francesca Bruning ..... Mrs. Harwick
Mary Michael .......... Mary
Danny Dennis .......... Tim Larson
Synopsis:
Danny is placed in an orphanage by his mother when he is eight-
years-old, promising to return for him after she has regained
her health in Florida. After fighting adoption, Danny allows himself
to be adopted by the Harwicks with the idea that he could look for
his mother. He tries to run away throughout his childhood. When
eighteen, he goes to Dom Frasca and asks him to help locate his mother.
Frasca is concerned that Danny is afraid to face the possibility that
his mother has changed. However, he agrees to help and finds her.
When Danny hesitates to meet her, Frasca tells him he is afraid to
grow up. Then Danny changes his mind and there is a happy reunion.
In the concluding interview, Frasca says that Danny and his mother
have stayed together.

8.xx [--] The Big Story: THE JAMES DEAN BIG STORY (special)
(Rex Newman, reporter for the Joplin, Missouri Globe News-Herald)
04Jan57 NBC (updated version)/ 11Sep53 NBC (original broadcast)
Directed by David Rich
Script by Alvin Boretz
studio director, Leonard Valenta
music supervision, Vladimir Selinsky
Produced by Robert Lewis Shayon
Host: Ben Grauer
Appearing: Rex Newman (as himself)
Guest Cast:
James Dean .......... Todd
John Kerr............ Madden
Carl Frank .......... Rex Newman
Wendy Drew .......... Julie
Joseph Foley ........ Mr. Carter
Donald McKee ........ police captain
Allan Devitt ........ Old man
Somer Alberg ........ Clerk
Paul Lilly .......... Jail Keeper
Susan Harris ........ Young Julie
Bobby Nick .......... Young Madden
Ken Walken .......... Young Todd
Synopsis:
This episode is somewhat of a departure from the customary format. Rex
Newman, reporter for the Joplin, Missouri Globe News-Herald, comments on
teenage feelings about James Dean, more than a year after Dean's death.
A Big story episode starring Dean, which originally aired over 3 years
earlier, is shown to illustrate his talent. The story focuses on members
of a teenage gang who stage numerous holdups and eventually commit two
murders. Newman is responsible for their apprehension through his
understanding of the causes behind the gang's actions.
*Note:
Dramatic portion originally telecast on 11Sep53 on NBC as an episode
in The big story series; this version includes a new concluding interview
with Rex Newman.

8.XX [--] The Big Story: HOUSE DIVIDED
(Ralph Lowenstein of The El Paso Times of Texas)
11Jan57 NBC
Directed by Leonard Valenta
Written by Jerome Coopersmith
Music director, Vladimir Selinsky
Producer, Robert Lewis Shayon
Appearing: Ralph Lowenstein (as himself)
Host: Ben Grauer
Guest Cast:
Martin Landau ......... Ralph Lowenstein
David Opatoshu ........ Juan Martinez
Geena Goodwin ......... Maria Martinez
Allen Nourse .......... Cameron
Miriam Colon .......... Esperanza Martinez
Roy King .............. Ernesto Martinez
Ian Martin ............ Editor
Ralph Camargo ......... Eduardo Gonzales
Synopsis:
Ralph Lowenstein brings about an amendment to U.S.
immigration policies that reunites a Mexican family in Los Angeles.
In the concluding interview, he says the real laurels should go to
the commissioner of the Immigration and Naturalization Service who
made possible the reunion of the family and others like them.

8.xx [--] The Big Story: THE FACE OF A THIEF
(Ray Fulton of The Sharon Herald of Pennsylvania)
18Jan57 NBC
Written by Alvin Boretz
Directed by Leonard Valenta
Music director, Vladimir Selinsky
Producer, Robert Lewis Shayon
Appearing: Ray Fulton (as himself)
Host: Ben Grauer
Guest Cast:
Paul Stevens .......... Ray Fulton
Milton Selzer ......... Corporal Miley
Robert Lansing ........ Giles Norman
David Clarke .......... Bank Teller
Ruth Newton ........... Miss Nell
David Sheiner ......... Mr. Tyler
Synopsis:
Ray Fulton writes a story about a bank robbery in Tidioute,
Pennsylvania. The only clues are that the robber carries a
lunch box and wears a trainman's cap down over his face. He holds
up four more banks. Giles Norman is given a traffic ticket and goes
to the police to dispute it. As he looks like the robber, the police
hold him although he pleads innocent. Fulton writes an article about
the situation which a teacher, who has been out of town, sees. She
tells the police that Norman was with her on the day of the robbery.
In the concluding interview, Fulton says the robber is still at large.

8.xx [--] The Big Story: CHECKMATE
(Ed Montgomery and Bob Bryant of The San Francisco Examiner)
01Feb57 NBC
Directed by Leonard Valenta
Written by Leon Tokatyan
Producer, Robert Lewis Shayon
Appearing: Ed Montgomery, Bob Bryant (as themselves)
Host: Ben Grauer
Guest Cast:
John Kellogg .......... Ed Montgomery
John Gibson ........... Bob Bryant
Arthur Storch ......... George Manners
William Woodson ....... Lt. Frazer
Maxine Stuart ......... Elaine Manners
Jacqueline Kerr ....... Roberta Simmons
James Parker .......... Russ
Lou Ellen Orr ......... Sally
Synopsis:
The disappearance of Roberta Simmons baffles the police and FBI.
Her handbag is found in the basement of the home of George
Manners by his wife. An investigation is begun but not much can
be proven until Montgomery, a reporter, and Bryant, a
photographer, on a hunch check the woods where Manners spent
a lot of time alone in a cabin. They find her body and Manners
is arrested. In the concluding interview, they report that Manners
was found guilty of kidnapping and murder and sentenced to death.

8.xx [--] The Big Story: STREET WAR
(Bob Thomas of The Philadelphia Inquirer)
08Feb57 NBC
Pyramid Productions, Inc.
Executive producer, Everett Rosenthal
Producer, Robert Lewis Shayon
written by Douglas Taylor
directed by Leonard Valenta
Guest Cast:
Terry Carter .......... Bob Thomas
Ellen Holly ........... Betty
Louis Gossett, Jr. .... Mac
William Johnstone ..... John
Hugh Hurd ............. Ziggy
Philip Hepburn ........ Jeff
Jack Orrison .......... Hank
Bush Hunter ........... Sammy

Synopsis:
The newspaper has been trying to get a story on the
teenage gang wars in the African American section of the city.
When gang members see a reporter, they run. One of the reporters
asks Bob Thomas, an African American copy boy, for help, telling
him that if he gets a story, it will be printed and he will be
paid. Thomas enlists the help of his girlfriend Betty, who has some
friends in the gang. Thomas mingles with them and convinces them that
his way of life is better.
In the concluding interview, Thomas talks about the causes of juvenile
delinquency. Grauer announces Thomas will become a reporter.

8.xx [--] The Big Story: EXPOSURE
(Rip Manning of The Columbus Citizen of Ohio)
15Feb57 NBC
Pyramid Productions, Inc.
Executive producer, Everett Rosenthal
Producer, Robert Lewis Shayon
Written by Leon Tokatyan
Directed by, Leonard Valenta
Music director, Vladimir Selinsky
Appearing: Rip Manning (himself)
Host: Ben Grauer
Guest Cast:
Arch Johnson .......... Rip Manning
Phyllis Hill .......... Lorraine Delahaye
Carl Frank ............ Editor
Robert Dryden ......... Chester Price
Stephen Elliott ....... Arnie Bauer
Lenka Peterson ........ Marie Manning
Mary Lou Taylor ....... Mrs. Tanne
Charlotte ............. Carol
Synopsis:
Operators of a photo racket move into Columbus after plaguing
three other cities. They call people to offer them free pictures
and more. The unsuspecting victims come to accept their gifts
and sign a contract, which holds them responsible for a large
sum of money. Rip Manning is called and is suspicious. He writes
articles to warn people and informs the police. The government
finally acts by demanding back taxes, which closes the studio.
In the concluding interview, Manning says that the case is in the
hands of the Federal Bankruptcy Court.

8.xx [--] The Big Story: REPRISAL
(Hoke May of The Charlotte Observer of North Carolina)
01Mar57 NBC
Pyramid Productions, Inc. for NBC Television
Executive producer, Everett Rosenthal
Producer, Robert Lewis Shayon
Written by Leon Tokatyan
Directed by Leonard Valenta
Music director, Vladimir Selinsky
Appearing: Hoke May (himself)
Host: Ben Grauer
Guest Cast:
Philip Abbott ......... Hoke May
Joseph Julian ......... Ben Tucker
Don Hammer ............ Floyd Stuts
Wallace Rooney ........ Neil Owen
Victor Thorley ........ Jeff Cole
Michael Conrad ........ Lee Bolton
Mildred Clinton ....... Rachel Tucker
Synopsis 1:
Hoke May, a reporter for the Charlotte Observer, was covering an
assault story. He learned that the victim had been brutally beaten
in an attempt to smash a bootleg ring covering a five-state area.
Synopsis 2:
Hoke May covers the story of the brutal assault of Ben Tucker,
who, he learns, was beaten for trying to fight a liquor syndicate.
Tucker had driven for the syndicate for 8 years and then retired.
Needing some quick money, he offered to drive a trip for them.
They accepted only to beat him up. May's stories brings the
problem to the public. With the help of federal agents, the
bootleggers are arrested and brought to trial. In the concluding
interview, May says the men who beat up Tucker were found guilty
and sentenced to various prison terms.

8.xx [--] The Big Story: SUPERMAN
(Jim O'Neil of Newsday of Long Island, New York)
08Mar57 NBC
Pyramid Productions, Inc.
Executive producer, Everett Rosenthal
Producer, Robert Lewis Shayon
Written by Douglas Taylor
Directed by Leonard Valenta
Music director, Vladimir Selinsky
Host: Ben Grauer
Guest Cast:
Logan Field ........... Jim O'Neil
Robert Ellenstein ..... Harmon Jackson
Michael Mann .......... Wayne Jackson
Frank Campanella ...... Charley
Joe Helgesen .......... Harry
Patricia Hesley ....... Sally
Synopsis:
Harmon Jackson of Hicksville, Long Island imagines himself
the inventor of a most powerful bomb, the cavitator, that
will destroy the world. He is sure that everyone is spying on him
and is trying to steal his bomb. Detectives call on his daughter at
his house and ask about the rifle he has in his car. Harmon calls
O'Neil and Naval Intelligence and forces them to meet taking his son
Wayne. After threatening to kill everyone, O'Neil convinces Harmon
to give up. In the concluding interview, O'Neil says Harmon is in
the New York State Hospital.

8.xx [--] The Big Story: LINEUP
(Dave Alter of The El Paso Herald-Post of Texas)
15Mar57 NBC
Pyramid Productions, Inc.
Executive producer, Everett Rosenthal
Producer, Robert Lewis Shayon
Written by Gail Ingram
Directed by Leonard Valenta
Music director, Vladimir Selinsky
Appearing: Dave Alter (himself)
Narrated by Ben Grauer
Guest Cast:
William Redfield ...... Dave Alter
Clifford David ........ Barrett
George Mitchell ....... Police Lieutenant
Tom Holland ........... Police Officer
Lon Clark ............. Store Owner
Synopsis 1:
Jim Barrett is held by the police because he resembles the robber of a drugstore.

He claims he is innocent. Dave Alter sets out to prove that the lineup is not enough

 identification. Two years later, the real man, is caught. Alter tries to get Barrett
cleared of the crime. Through lie detector tests and testimony of others concerned

 in the case, Barrett is cleared. In the concluding interview, Alter says that a bill is before

 the Texas legislature to award Barrett money for his imprisonment.

Synopsis 2:
After an El Paso, Texas store robbery, two witnesses say they can identify the robber.

 But Dave Alter of the El Paso Herald Post has reservations about their testimony. [RF]

8.xx [--] The Big Story: YOUNG LOVERS
(Charley Wigle of The Denver Post)
29Mar57 NBC
Pyramid Productions, Inc.
Executive producer, Everett Rosenthal
Producer, Robert Lewis Shayon
Written by Douglas Taylor
Directed by Leonard Valenta
Music director, Vladimir Selinsky
Appearing: Charley Wigle (as himself)
Host: Ben Grauer
Guest Cast:
Charles Aidman ........ Charley Wigle
Burt Brinckerhoff ..... Morie
Phyllis Newman ........ Violet
Adrienne Marden ....... Mrs. Hansen
Dennis Kohler ......... Bobby
Sam Gray .............. John Snyder
Dana Elcar ............ Bernie
Synopsis:
Two teenagers, Violet Hansen and Morie, elope and have a
rough time, constantly fighting. After their baby is born, she
goes home and they try to get an annulment. They are of different
religions and this is part of the trouble. Violet is not permitted
to see Morie, who still loves her. He kidnaps her brother Bobby.
Morie calls Wigle and tells him he will kill Bobby if no one helps
him. Wigle tries to reason with him, but, when this fails, the
police move in and arrest him. In the concluding interview, Wigle
says Violet told the judge she still loved Morie and the kidnap
charge was dropped and the couple reunited.

8.xx [--] The Big Story: THE LONG DARK NIGHT
(Hank Messick of The Raleigh Times of North Carolina)
05Apr57 NBC
Pyramid Productions, Inc.
Executive producer, Everett Rosenthal
Producer, Robert Lewis Shayon
Written by Alvin Boretz
Directed by Leonard Valenta
Music director, Vladimir Selinsky
Appearing: Hank Messick, Rep. E.K. Powe, Henry Wilson
Host: Ben Grauer
Guest Cast:
John McIdam .......... Hank Messick
James E. Wall ........ Miley Jordan
Mary Louise .......... Evie
Karl Swenson ......... Finch
Will Hare ............ Reece
Barnard Hughes ....... City Manager
Synopsis 1:
When city employees are victimized by a loan racket, Hank Messick of
the Raleigh N.C. Times investigates.
Synopsis 2:
Hank Messick receives a letter from Miles Jordan, one of the
victims of the loan sharks. Jordan tells how he and many
associates have been forced to take out loans and keep paying without
receipts with which they could prove the loan was paid off. They have
been threatened with violence. Messick sets out to find the person
who wrote the letter. He finds Jordan and gets him to stand up against
Finch, the loan shark. Finch is put out of business. In the concluding
interview, Messick says Finch got a suspended sentence and a fine.
Rep. E.K. Powe and Henry Wilson say they are introducing a bill to
drive all loan sharks out of business.

8.xx [--] The Big Story: THE MAD BOMBER
(The work of The New York Journal-American)
12Apr57 NBC
Pyramid Productions, Inc.
Executive producer, Everett Rosenthal
Producer, Robert Lewis Shayon
Written by Leon Tokatyan.
Directed by, Leonard Valenta
Music director, Vladimir Selinsky
Appearing: Seymour Berkson (himself)
Host: Ben Grauer
Guest Cast:
Whitfield Connor ...... Seymour Berkson
Paul McGrath .......... Stephen Kennedy
John Kellogg .......... Paul Schoenstein
Frank Overton ......... Sam H. Day
Bill Zuckert .......... Eddie Mahar
Peter Turgeon ......... Guy Richards
John Cecil Holm ....... George Metesky
Synopsis:
For 16 years, the mad bomber has spread panic in New York
City. Seymour Berkson, publisher of the newspaper, prints an open
letter to the bomber, assuring him that if he gives himself up, the
paper will guarantee him a fair trial. Through answers from the
bomber, they figure out that a former employee of Con Edison, George
Metesky, is the bomber. He is captured. The paper hires a lawyer for
him. In the concluding interview, Berkson says that no individual is
responsible for the paper's role in the story.

8.xx [--] The Big Story: SCRAMBLE
(Matt Conklin of The Sherman Democrat of Texas)
26Apr57 NBC
Pyramid Productions, Inc.
Executive producer, Everett Rosenthal
Producer, Robert Lewis Shayon
Written by Jerome Coopersmith
Directed by Leonard Valenta
music director, Vladimir Selinsky
Appearing: Matt Conklin, (himself) & Col. T.F. Whitehouse (himself)
Host: Ben Grauer
Guest Cast:
Ed Bryce ............. Matt Conklin
Edgar Stehli ......... Jack Wade
Russell Hardie ....... Frazer
Frank Thomas, Jr. .... Lt. White
Gordon Barnes ........ Col. Thatcher
Jack Orrison ......... Townsend
Synopsis:
After two Air Force men brutally rob Mr. Wade, civic leaders try
to put their town off-limits for the entire base. Matt Conklin
visits Wade and argues that he should not blame everyone on the
base for the actions of two men. Conklin learns that Frazer
has started a petition drive to remove the base only so he can sell
the real estate. Conklin takes Wade to the base and convinces him
of the important job done by the Air Force. At a town meeting, Wade
persuade people not to sign the petition. In the concluding interview,
Conklin says the Air Force personnel are still welcome in the town.
Col. T.F. Whitehouse of Perrin Air Force Base says Conklin did a great service.

8.xx [--] The Big Story: WIDOW'S LUCK
(Louis B. Seltzer of The Cleveland Press)
03May57 NBC
Pyramid Productions, Inc.
Executive producer, Everett Rosenthal
Producer, Robert Lewis Shayon
Written for TV by Leon Tokatyan
Directed by Leonard Valenta
Music director, Vladimir Selinsky
Appearing: Louis B. Seltzer (himself)
Host: Ben Grauer
Guest Cast:
Donald Madden ........ Louis B. Seltzer
Joseph Sweeney ....... Aaron Kregar
Katherine Squire ..... Mrs. Larabee
Adrienne Bayan ....... Marian Kregar
Frank Campanella ..... Johnny
Sydney Pollack ....... Sidney
Walter Brooke ........ Steve
Irene Hubbard ........ the Medium
Synopsis:
Robert Kregar is a successful publisher in Cleveland. He has
been ill from a strange paralysis. One day he is found stabbed to
death and the house robbed. Kregar's father Aaron tells Seltzer that
he is sure that his son's wife Marian was poisoning him. She had
never paid him any attention till he got sick. Aaron feels she married
Robert for his money. Seltzer gets an autopsy done and it is found
that he died from arsenic poisoning. The police arrest Marian, her
mother and her brother Sidney. The mother confesses and they are all
tried. In the concluding interview, Seltzer says both women were
convicted and received long sentences.

8.xx [--] The Big Story: THE HOAX
(Al Nakkula of The Rocky Mountain News of Denver)
10May57 NBC
Pyramid Productions, Inc.
Executive producer, Everett Rosenthal
Produced by Robert Lewis Shayon
Directed by Leonard Valenta
Written for TV by Alvin Boretz
Music director, Vladimir Selinsky
Appearing: Al Nakkula (himself)
Host: Ben Grauer
Guest Cast:
Al Markim ............ Al Nakkula
Alfred Ryder ......... Roger Menders
Laurinda Barrett ..... Maggie Logan
Jerry Stiller ........ Tyler
Joseph Warren ........ Frank Logan
Melville Ruick ....... Bert Keating
John Newton .......... Roy Logan
Synopsis:
Al Nakkula receives a phone call from a man named Tyler, who says
that he had been hired to murder Frank Logan, the husband of the
paper's fashion editor, Maggie Logan. When Al learns from Maggie
that she was not playing a joke on him, they set about to find out
who might want to kill Frank. In old newspaper files, they discover
a Roger Menders who was convicted of embezzling. They find out he has been

 paroled. When Tyler calls Al again, Al confirms that it is Menders who wants to
murder Frank. They help capture Menders as he pulls a gun on Frank.
In the concluding interview, Nakkula says Frank visited Menders in
prison and he promised he would never bother the Logans again.

8.xx [--] The Big Story: DESPERATE HUNGER
(Jack Gil of The Albuquerque Journal)
24May57 NBC
Pyramid Productions, Inc.
Executive producer, Everett Rosenthal
Producer, Robert Lewis Shayon
Directed by Leonard Valenta
Written for TV by Douglas Taylor
Music director, Vladimir Selinsky
Appearing: Jack Gil (himself)
Host: Ben Grauer
Guest Cast:
William Redfield ...... Jack Gil
Martin Newman ......... Frank Fitzgerald
Michael Strong ........ Pete Marshall
Lenka Peterson ........ Linda Gill
Joe Helgesen .......... Bob Samson
Ellen Madison ......... Peggy Fitzgerald
Marilyn Siegel ........ Christine Gill
Synopsis:
Jack Gil receives a phone call from Frank and Peggy Fitzgerald,
who are wanted for robbery and cashing bad checks. Gil meets
them and they say they want to give themselves up. Frank says
he has done all of this for the publicity. Gil prints their
story. In jail, Frank becomes unhappy when the newspaper stops
giving him publicity. He and his cellmate Pete escape and go
to Gil's house. He convinces them that it is not safe and they
leave. In the concluding interview, Gil says Frank and Pete
were caught and sentenced and Peggy was given a suspended
sentence because she was forced into aiding Frank.

8.xx [--] The Big Story: HIROSHIMA PLUS 12
(Jim Vachule of The Fort Worth Star-Telegram of Texas)
31May57 NBC
Pyramid Productions, Inc.
Executive producer, Everett Rosenthal
Directed & Produced by Robert Lewis Shayon
Written for TV by Jerome Coopersmith
Music director, Vladimir Selinsky
Appearing: Jim Vachule (himself)
Host: Ben Grauer
Guest Cast:
John Kellogg .......... Jim Vachule
Logan Field ........... Pete Morgan
John Connell .......... Johnny Morgan
Paul Sparer ........... Dr. Edward Nicholas
Douglas Rutherford .... U.S. Attorney Moore
Tom Gorman ............ U.S. Postal Inspector
Jack Orrison .......... Clerk
Synopsis:
Jim Vachule learns that Pete Morgan, a major in the Air Force during
World War II with whom he served, has been arrested for theft. When
he visits Morgan, he denies knowing him. Vachule finds out that Pete
has spent some time in the Waco Veterans Mental Hospital because he
has been feeling guilty for dropping bombs and killing people. He
is committing crimes so he can be punished. After Pete's brother
Johnny bails him out, Vachule tells Johnny about Pete's condition.
They go to get Pete who has gone to a shack with a rifle. They
convince him they are proud of his war record. He surrenders and
returns to Waco. In the concluding interview, Vachule says Pete is
responding well to treatment.

8.xx [--] The Big Story: CAR 83
(Malcolm Glover of The San Francisco Examiner)
07Jun57 NBC
Pyramid Productions, Inc.
Executive producer, Everett Rosenthal
Directed & Produced by Robert Lewis Shayon
Written for TV by Irving Tunick
Music director, Vladimir Selinsky
Appearing: Malcolm Glover (himself)
Host: Ben Grauer
Guest Cast:
Ray Boyle ............ Malcolm Glover
Steve McQueen ........ Chuck Milton
Dolores Sutton ....... Rose
Ed Bryce ............. Benham
Dana Elcar ........... Cashmore
Synopsis:
Malcolm Glover receives a phone call about Chuck Milton, a parolee
with a long arrest record, who now has a gun and is taking dope,
from his girlfriend Rose. She tried to help him go straight.
She calls the police, who corner him but he shoots his way out,
killing an officer. He hides in the movie theater where Rose works.
She calls Glover again and the police trace her call. They convince
her to persuade him to give up. In the concluding interview, Milton
was sentenced to life imprisonment.

8.xx [--] The Big Story: BANNER OF INNOCENCE
(William O. Grover of The Philadelphia Iquirer)
21Jun57 NBC
Pyramid Productions, Inc.
Executive producer, Everett Rosenthal
Directed & Produced by Robert Lewis Shayon
Written for TV by Douglas Tyalor
Music director, Vladimir Selinsky
Appearing: William O. Grover (himself)
Host: Ben Grauer
Guest Cast:
Allen Nourse ......... William O. Grover
James Wall ........... Jimmy Howard
Fran Carlon .......... Sally Martin
Joseph Julian ........ Eddie
Osceola Archer ....... Mrs. Howard
Richard Ward ......... Jones
John Bouie ........... David Young
Synopsis:
William Grover is convinced that Jimmy Howard, a young African
American sentenced to life imprisonment, was convicted on perjured
evidence. He hires Sally Martin, a lawyer, to help prove that Howard
is innocent. He has been in prison for ten years because two of his
associates did not like his attitude and said they saw him kill a
night watchman. Martin asks for a pardon because one of the two men,
David Young, confesses he lied. She gets Howard a complete pardon.
Howard wants the world to know he is innocent so Grover runs a
headline story.
In the concluding interview, Grover says Howard is getting back on
his feet and that a bill in the state legislature to compensate him
is not faring well. The real name of the lawyer is Rose Kotzin Landy.

8.xx [--] The Big Story: THE FRAME-UP
(Nolen Bulloch of The Tulsa Tribune)
28Jun57 NBC
Pyramid Productions, Inc.
Executive producer, Everett Rosenthal
Directed & produced by Robert Lewis Shayon
Written for TV by Jerome Coopersmith
Appearing: Nolen Bulloch (himself)

Narrated by Ben Grauer
Guest Cast:
George Mitchell ....... Nolen Bulloch
Bibi Osterwald ........ Rosie Mack
Russell Hardie ........ Sidney Hackett
Victor Thorley ........ Henning
Nelson Olmsted ........ Prosecuting Attorney
Mary Lou Taylor ....... Mary Bulloch
Jack Orrison .......... Editor
Synopsis:
Nolen Bulloch has fought bootlegging by writing about it.
Rosie Mack has been trapped for bootlegging several times.
Bulloch and a female reporter warn her not to bootleg.
When they leave her place, they see evidence of bootlegging
and they tell the police, who arrest Mack. She threatens to
get even with him. She tells the police he took money from her to
keep quiet. He is arrested, but the female reporter joined the army
so she cannot clear him. Bulloch and his wife Mary finally track her
down and she testifies for him. In the concluding interview, Bulloch
says he was acquitted.

*Note: Final show of the series.
 

################ The Big Story ###############

############## season 9 1957-58 ##############

########## (first-run syndication) ###########

Pyramid Productions, Inc.

Executive Producer Everett Rosenthal

Producer, Stuart Rosenberg

Pyramid Productions also produced "Treasury Men" and "Decoy"

9.01 [--] The Big Story: PHOENIX
prod. no. 1 syndicated program
Pyramid production ;
Producer, Robert Lewis Shayon
Director and associate producer, Stuart Rosenberg.
DPUB: 1Jan57

9.02 [--] The Big Story: THANKSGIVING FOR DR. JOE
prod. no. 2 syndicated program
Pyramid production
produced by Robert Lewis Shayon
director and associate producer, Stuart Rosenberg.
DPUB: 1Jan57

Narrated by Burgess Meredith
Guest cast:
Al Markim .............. Victor Cohn
Michael Ingram ......... Joe
Irja Jensen ............ Anna
Synopsis:
Victor Cohn crusades for a young doctor barred from

medical practice because of his refugee status. [RF]

9.03 [--] The Big Story: SEARCH FOR TRUTH
prod. no. 3 syndicated program
Pyramid production
produced and directed by Stuart Rosenberg
DPUB: 1Jan57

Narrated by Burgess Meredith
Guest cast:
Lori March
Sybil Baker ............ Louise
George L. Smith ........ Gregory
Dorrit Kelton .......... Mrs. Taylor
Synopsis:
A woman (Lori March) answers a family's appeal for help in finding their daughter. [RF]

9.04 [--] The Big Story: TURNPIKE TERROR
prod. no. 4, syndicated program
Pyramid production
Produced and Directed by Stuart Rosenberg.
DPUB: 1Jan57

Narrated by Burgess Meredith
Guest cast:
Clem Fowler ............ Joe Bianco
Martin Newman .......... Willie Geller
John Napier ............ Larry
Synopsis:
A man is murdered in his sleep and reporter Joe Bianco

 joins the force in tracking down the killer. [RF]

9.05 [--] The Big Story: THE CAT
prod. no. 5, syndicated program
Pyramid production
Producer, Stuart Rosenberg
Director, Will Jason
DPUB: 1Jan57

Narrated by Burgess Meredith
Guest cast:
George Petrie .......... Walter Winchell
Russell Hardie ......... J. Edgar Hoover
Robert Middleton ....... "The Cat"
Synopsis:
Walter Winchell drives alone to a remote area to meet with a

dangerous mobster and negotiate for the man's surrender. [RF]

9.06 [--] The Big Story: FIGHTER'S FISTS
prod. no. 6, syndicated program
Pyramid production
Producer, Stuart Rosenberg
Directed by Larry Doheny
DPUB: 1Jan57

Narrated by Burgess Meredith
Guest cast:
Ralph Stanley .......... Zarko Franks
Diana Gentner .......... Pearl
Tom Middleton .......... Tom
Synopsis:
Zarko Franks crusades for a boxer arrested during

a police crackdown on crime in Houston. [RF]

9.07 [--] The Big Story: SHAKEDOWN
prod. no. 7, syndicated program
Pyramid production
producer, Stuart Rosenberg
directed by Larry Doheny.
DPUB: 1Jan57

9.08 [--] The Big Story: SHIELD #21 -- IN THE LINE OF DUTY
prod. no. 8, syndicated program
Pyramid production
Producer, Stuart Rosenberg
Directed by Larry Doheny
DPUB: 1Jan57

Narrated by Burgess Meredith
Guest cast:
Frank Marth ............ Ralph Hennings
Terry O'Sullivan ....... Ray Dixon
Clem Fowler ............ Fulton
Synopsis:
Ralph Hennings witnessed the fatal shooting of a policeman.

And he's the gunman's next target. [RF]

9.09 [--] The Big Story: CRIME SCHOOL
(aka Don Kellerman of Newsday, Long Island NY)
prod. no. 9
Pyramid production
Producer, Stuart Rosenberg
Directed by Larry Doheny
Guest cast:
James Broderick ........ Don Kellerman
Robert Yuro ............ Steve
Albert Lewis ........... Willie
Harry Bergman .......... Finch

Synopsis: